Mother’s Day Gifts That Give Back

Mother’s Day is coming up this Sunday. Rather than running to the store last minute to buy a card or pick up some flowers, why not honor your mom with a gift that gives back at the same time?Did you know that women are three times more likely to reinvest in their children and community? Not surprising, right?

This Mother’s Day, you can honor your mom and provide other moms with economic opportunities at the same time. When you donate a tribute patch (for as little as $5) to the Digital Global Opportunity Quilt, you also contribute to a loan that will help a women in need start a business.

Opportunity International provides microfinance loans, savings, insurance and training to over four million people working their way out of poverty in the developing world. Their Invest in One, Honor Mom campaign celebrates the strength and resilience of moms and women everywhere with a digital quilt comprised of patches purchased by the public to honor influential women in their lives.

The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation also has a great Mother’s Day campaign going on in honor of its 25th anniversary. They are challenging everyone to help them raise funds that would allow 2,500 women to get tested for HIV.

What does an HIV test mean for these women? It means they can know their HIV status and find treatment, if needed. It also means that we can save a child from HIV. HIV is spread to children around the world every day simply because many women don’t have the tools to stop the spread of transmission. Pretty powerful stuff. And it’s very easy to help out.

A donation of just $19 pays for a woman to get tested. The best part is that you can honor your loved one (like your mom!) and send her an beautiful e-card when you do so.

P.S. If you missed the Google+ Hangout yesterday with UNICEF USA, I posted the video. It was a great roundtable with some great conversation around the issues affecting women and girls in developing countries and how we can help.

Comments

I have been trying to figure out what to get my mother. Now, after reading this, I can’t decide! My mothers is one of the most socially minded women I know – especially when it comes to women’s issues. I am definitely doing one of these with my kids for her. Ever. I am sharing the heck out of this today. These are the BEST mother’s day gifts you could give anyone!Ilene recently posted..My Week in Laundry

Awesome! I love what you’ve come up with and gifts like these are so precious. My mom is one of those who “has everything” and getting something for her that she likes is impossible, so gift donations like this are perfect. 🙂Cyndi recently posted..The Pictimilitude Manifesto

[…] some fun posts ready for you as we gear up for Mother’s Day on May 12th. Stay tuned for some Mother’s Day gifts that give back, info on Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build event and an interview with new mom Kristin […]

[…] written about and donated to Opportunity International in the past (read: Mother’s Day Gifts That Give Back). They provide microfinance loans, savings, insurance and training to over five million people […]

[…] There’s still time to thank a mom on the Global Opportunity Quilt. When you make a donation of any size, you’ll get to choose a digital quilt patch, create a message, and help Opportunity International empower more than 3,000 women and transform the lives of thousands more. Some generous donors will even match your donation, doubling the impact of your gift! The moms in my life enjoyed this gift immensely last year. […]